MARLBORO – From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 30, the Marlboro Township Division of Police and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public its 11th opportunity in six years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.
Residents may bring their pills for disposal to the Justice Center in the Marlboro Municipal Complex, 1979 Township Drive, off Wyncrest Road, according to a press release. Residents should remove personal information from their prescription bottles. Liquids, needles or sharps are not permitted. The service is free and anonymous.
In September 2015, Americans turned in 350 tons of prescription drugs at more than 5,000 sites operated by the DEA and more than 3,800 of its state and local law enforcement partners, according to the press release. In its 10 previous “Take Back” events, the DEA and its partners have taken in more than 2,750 tons of pills.
According to the press release, medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family members and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.
In 2012, Mayor Jonathan Hornik, in association with the Marlboro Police Department, the New Jersey Attorney General’s office and the State Division of Consumer Affairs, announced the inauguration of a permanently installed box, part of “Project Medicine Drop.” Throughout the year, residents can drop off their unwanted, unused or expired medications in a locked box in the lobby of the police department. The box resembles a mailbox and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, according to the press release.